Overview
Salary: Up to £65000 per annum (DOE)
Shift hours: Full Time
Head of Food Operations
Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge
Full-time | Senior Leadership Role
About the Role
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Food Services to lead and elevate food operations within our soft FM contract at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.
This is a high-impact leadership role where you will drive excellence in service delivery, innovation, compliance, and customer experience across a large-scale healthcare environment. As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping strategy, delivering commercial performance, and creating a high-performing, engaged team culture.
About the Contract
Our Addenbrooke’s Hospital contract is a flagship healthcare operation, delivering a wide range of services including cleaning, portering, patient feeding, and retail.
Serving a major teaching hospital with a large and diverse patient population, this is a complex, fast-paced and rewarding environment where high standards and innovation are essential.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
- Develop and deliver the food service strategy in line with business and client objectives
- Drive innovation across food delivery, sustainability, and customer experience
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives across all food services
Operational Excellence
- Oversee day-to-day food operations, ensuring high standards in quality, hygiene, and safety
- Monitor KPIs and SLAs, driving performance and minimising deductions
- Ensure compliance with HACCP, Food Safety Act, and all relevant legislation
- Maintain brand standards and contractual obligations
Leadership & People
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of managers to create a high-performance culture
- Drive engagement, wellbeing, and inclusion across the workforce
- Ensure effective performance management and succession planning
- Promote a customer-first mindset across patient, visitor, and retail services
Client & Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as the senior point of contact for all food services
- Build strong, collaborative relationships with the client
- Deliver an exceptional customer experience aligned to client values
- Lead service improvement initiatives to enhance satisfaction and retention
Financial & Commercial
- Manage budgets, forecasts, and cost controls to ensure profitability
- Identify growth opportunities and operational efficiencies
- Understand and manage contract risks and commercial obligations
Health & Safety
- Champion a zero-harm culture and safe systems of work
- Ensure all teams are trained, equipped, and supported to work safely
Sustainability & Innovation
- Lead sustainable practices including waste reduction and responsible sourcing
- Stay ahead of industry trends and introduce innovative solutions
About You
We’re looking for a confident and inspiring leader who thrives in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
Key Experience & Skills
- Minimum 3+ years in operational management, including 1+ year in food service leadership
- Proven experience managing large, diverse teams and developing managers
- Strong commercial and financial acumen with P&L responsibility
- Deep understanding of food safety, compliance, and service standards
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
- Passion for food, innovation, and delivering exceptional customer experiences
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and deliver results
Leadership Attributes
- Curious – Innovative, solution-focused, and forward-thinking
- Confident – Sets clear standards, develops others, and delivers results
- Courageous – Leads with integrity, challenges constructively, and drives positive change
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a flagship healthcare contract with real impact
- Lead a large and diverse team in a meaningful environment
- Shape the future of food services in a major NHS hospital
- Opportunities for career growth and development
Reference: com/1706/72257003/52814395/STC
Location: Addenbrookes
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
